Laminate flooring what is

Learn about the differences between vinyl flooring and laminate flooring, as well as the pros and cons of each. Vinyl flooring is made of a number of layers that build a durable and waterproof floor.

Its solid vinyl core is topped with a printed vinyl layer and a wear layer. Homeowners can choose from many types of vinyl flooring like vinyl planks, WPC vinyl, and Rigid Core vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring used to be limited in design choices, but vinyl has been upgraded to a variety of styles and patterns for a more modern and attractive look. Compared to laminate flooring, vinyl offers a little more variety in design, too; vinyl floors can resemble not only wood, but stone and ceramic floors, as well.

First manufactured in the s, laminate flooring was one of the first man-made alternatives to hardwood floors. Its thick composition makes it pretty comfortable to walk on, so it can work well in living areas and hallways.

Like vinyl, laminate is also made of synthetic materials that resemble the look of authentic hardwood. Laminate layers are similar to vinyl flooring but made of different types of materials. Unfortunately, laminate flooring does not stand up against moisture as well as vinyl. While some laminate flooring options are water-resistant, they can still become damaged over long periods of water exposure.

Vinyl and laminate flooring share many common qualities, like being affordable and pretty easy to install on your own. Although the two flooring types are very similar, they each have a few clear differences. Check them out:. When it comes to appearance and style, laminate flooring tends to be just a bit higher quality.

It comes with more realistic embossing that is closer to the appearance of hand-scraped hardwood. Vinyl can look like wood with its embossing techniques, but it looks the best and most realistic on thicker core vinyl flooring. Vinyl is manufactured with synthetic materials. Most of the time, the base layer of vinyl sheets are made of fiberglass and coated with PVC vinyl and a plasticizer. Laminate, on the other hand, has a core made of wood byproducts. The top layer, which is the surface you walk on, is a transparent plastic layer to protect against wear.

Laminate tends to be a little thicker than vinyl flooring, which leads to more warmth and softness when standing or walking on it. The major difference between laminate and vinyl flooring is water resistance, with vinyl as the big winner here. It can be immersed in water, dried out, and reused as normal.

Also, vinyl sheets allow you to install a single sheet for a whole room, which means no seams for water to seep through. Laminate has limited moisture resistance. This waterlogged center can eventually cause the top layers to peel away. Contrary to popular belief, laminate flooring is not made out of plastic. In the early years laminate looked as if it were made of plastic, due to appearance and design being sacrificed for affordability.

Now, due to innovative manufacturing, laminate looks as if it is solid hardwood or stone, but is much more affordable. Laminate flooring is actually constructed of 4 layers; wear, design, core, and the back layer. Each layer serves a distinct purpose and are fused together using high heat and intense pressure. Below is a break down of these layers. Laminate makes for an extremely durable product because of its multi-layer construction.

Laminate is resistant to scratch, fade, and is easy to clean. This product is good for kitchens and baths only if proper precautions are put in place like a moisture barrier, but this product is not recommended for areas with high moisture.

With proper care, laminate can look as good as day 1. Visit your local Flooring America shop for the best in quality laminate flooring. Omega Splashbacks. Omega Upstands. Omega Edging. Bushboard Nuance Worktops. Nuance Worktops. Nuance Upstands. Formica Prima Worktops.

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